Group threatens to close mine

A GROUP of landowners say they will close down any operations by developers of the nation’s biggest mine in Wafi, Bulolo, if the national court allows the Lands Titles Commission to determine who the rightful owners are.
The threat was made by Stanley Tau, president of the Yanta Development Association, John Nema, former president of the Hengabu Landowners Association, and Hengabu leader Anonga Yakising in Lae.
They are responding to a National Court decision last Friday to grant leave for a final LTC trial between 11 parties to determine the legitimate landowners of the Wafi area and the beneficiaries of the Wafi-Golpu project.
The commission’s decision a year ago at the Polytechnical Institute in Lae was revoked in January 2010 by the NEC after Nema and Tau talked to then mining minister John Pundari.